Yarn holder systems

ABSTRACT

The yarn holder is useful for storably containing and using yarn including a flexible container (accordion-style walls for collapsibility) and a lid with an egress hole (yarn port) and at least one adjustable cord. The flexible container having accordion-style walls is able to be collapsed during non-use periods for convenient storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/159,793, filed May 11, 2015 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of containers and more specifically relates to a yarn holder system.

2. Description of Related Art

Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibers, suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, and rope-making. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manufactured sewing threads may be finished with wax or other lubricants to withstand the stresses involved in sewing. Yarn may be used to knit and crochet items of manufacture such as garments, bed spreads or the like. Many individuals enjoy knitting as a hobby that produces a useful and tangible result (such as a sweater for example).

Yarns are often sold in skeins which may be inconvenient to hold when using (knitting). The skeins are very soft and may be difficult to hold securely. Further, the skeins are prone to becoming tangled or compromised if not handled properly. A means whereby the skein can be accessibly contained is desirable, yet not impeding the individual during use.

Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,544,831; 1,974,862; 7,975,951; 7,662,422; 4,958,733; and 3,284,025. This art is representative of containers. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Preferably, a yarn holder system should provide containment and accessibility to at least one skein of yarn and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable yarn holder system to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known container art, the present invention provides a novel yarn holder system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a collapsible containing means for use with skeins.

A yarn holder system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising a yarn holder assembly having a container, a lid, a fastener, and an adjustable cord. Yarn holder system comprises the yarn holder assembly. The yarn holder assembly comprises the container, the lid, the fastener, and the adjustable cord in functional combination. The container is defined by an outer circumference, an inner circumference, and an inner volume. The container comprises a flexible body. The container preferably comprises plastic for flexibility and durability. The container further comprises accordion-style walls such that the container is able to be collapsed vertically during non-use periods for convenient storage. The container comprises light-weight material for portability. The container comprises a flat bottom surface such that the yarn holder assembly can be placed on a surface. The container is able to house a single skein of yarn. The container comprises a flexible tubular cylindrically shaped body.

The lid is removably couplable to the container. The lid structured and arranged to enclose the inner volume with yarn therein. The lid is positionable at a top end of the container. The lid comprises a yarn port; the yarn port comprises an opening larger than the yarn such that the yarn is able to move through the yarn port. The yarn port is located in a center of the lid. The top end is open except when closed by the lid. The lid comprises the fastener. The adjustable cord is flexible. The adjustable cord comprises an adjustable member. The yarn holder assembly is useful for housing the yarn and preventing unraveling and tangling of the yarn while using the yarn for knitting and other yarn-using processes.

A kit is also disclosed herein including at least one yarn holder assembly, at least one skein of yarn, and a set of user instructions.

A method of using the yarn holder system includes placing at least one skein of yarn in a container of a yarn holder assembly, feeding yarn through a yarn feeder of the yarn holder assembly, using the yarn holder assembly while knitting or other yarn-using processes, removing the skein of yarn from the container, and storing the yarn holder assembly (in a collapsed condition).

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a yarn holder system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, yarn holder system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a yarn holder system during an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the yarn holder system comprising a yarn holder assembly having a container, a lid, a fastener, and an adjustable cord according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the yarn holder assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the yarn holder assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the yarn holder system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a container and more particularly to a yarn holder system as used to improve the accessibility and protection of skein and yarn.

Generally speaking, yarn holder system is useful for storably containing and using yarn. The present device may comprise a flexible container (accordion-style walls for collapsibility) and a lid with an egress hole (yarn port) and at least one adjustable cord. The present invention comprises a flexible container, in preferred embodiments, suitably sized for containing a skein of yarn during use (may be vertically stacked if desired); the yarn able to be accessed for knitting via the yarn port from the yarn holder system, as assembled. The yarn holder system comprises a flexible container, a lid, a fastener, and an adjustable cord. The flexible container having accordion-style walls is able to be collapsed during non-use periods for convenient storage.

The present invention comprises a handy yarn skein holding means that is suitably lightweight that saves the user time and energy to make the knitting (other other yarn-using process) both efficient and enjoyable. The device described herein is intended for use with a single skein of yarn, but skeins may be stacked vertically if desired in certain alternate embodiments when smaller skeins are used.

Yarn holder assembly is structured and arranged to accessibly contain the skein(s) of yarn such that it may be set on a table or virtually any other surface and the string of yarn pulled out the yarn port as it is used. This prevents unraveling and tangling as would happen if the yarn was not contained (as conventionally used). The yarn holder assembly may be offered in various sizes. In preferred embodiments the present invention comprises a flexible tubular body (cylindrically shaped) that is designed with accordion-like pleats that function to extend (fold out) during use and may be compressed during non-use periods such as for storage or transport between locations. In this way the present invention can extend through a range of about four to twelve inches. The bottom diameter of the flexible tubular body (preferably made of flexible plastic or rubber) may comprise a diameter of about 2½ inches to 4½ inches.

The yarn holder assembly may further comprise a removable cover with a yarn port located preferably in the center of the cover; the yarn port allowing yarn to egress outwardly therefrom during use. An adjustable cord may also be provided for use in hanging around the neck or shoulder of the user. Adjustment means are provided via any suitable means known in the art. The cover is removed to insert a new skein into the inner volume or to remove the skein for compressed-profile storage of the yarn holder assembly.

The yarn holder system is useful for storably containing and using yarn. The device may comprise a flexible container (accordion-style walls for collapsibility) and a lid with an egress hole (yarn port). The present invention comprises a flexible container suitably sized for containing a skein of yarn during use; the yarn able to be accessed for knitting via the yarn port from the yarn holder system, as assembled. The yarn holder system comprises a flexible container, a lid, a fastener, and an adjustable cord. The flexible container having accordion-style walls is able to be collapsed during non-use periods for convenient storage, as previously mentioned. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the yarn holder system may vary upon manufacturing.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, yarn holder system 100 comprising yarn holder assembly 110 having container 120, lid 130, fastener 160, and adjustable cord 170. Yarn holder system 100 comprises yarn holder assembly 110. Yarn holder assembly 110 comprises container 120, lid 130, fastener 160, and adjustable cord 170 in functional combination. Container 120 is defined by outer circumference 122, inner circumference 124, and inner volume 126. Lid 130 structured and arranged to enclose inner volume 124 with yarn 180 therein. Lid 130 is positionable at top end 128 of container 120. Top end 128 is open except when closed by lid 130. Yarn holder assembly 110 is useful for housing yarn 180 and preventing unraveling and tangling of yarn 180 while using yarn 180 for knitting and other yarn-using processes.

Container 120 comprises flexible body 129. Container 120 comprises accordion-style walls such that container 120 is able to be collapsed during non-use periods for convenient storage. Container 120 comprises light-weight material for portability. Container 120 is able to house a single skein of yarn 180. Container 120 is able to house more than one skein of yarn 180. Container 120 comprises flat bottom surface 127 such that yarn holder assembly 110 may be placed on surface 184. Lid 130 comprises yarn port 132. Yarn port 132 comprises an opening larger than yarn 180 such that yarn 180 is able to move through yarn port 132. Yarn port 132 is located in a center of lid 130. Lid 130 comprises fastener 160. Adjustable cord is flexible 170. Adjustable cord 170 comprises adjustable member 172. Lid 130 is removably couplable to container 120. Container 120 comprises flexible tubular cylindrically shaped body 129. Container 120 comprises plastic for flexibility and durability.

It should be noted that yarn holder system 100 may be sold as kit 440 comprising the following parts: at least one yarn holder assembly 110; at least one skein of yarn 182; and at least one set of user instructions. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Yarn holder system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing flowchart 550 illustrating method of use 500 for yarn holder system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4. As shown, method of use 500 may comprise the steps of: step one 501, placing skein of yarn in container of yarn holder assembly; step two 502, feeding yarn through yarn feeder of yarn holder assembly; step three 503, using yarn holder assembly while knitting or other yarn-using processes; step four 504, removing skein of yarn from container; step five 505, storing yarn holder assembly.

It should be noted that steps 504 and 505 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A yarn holder system comprising: a yarn holder assembly having; a container; a lid; a fastener; and an adjustable cord; wherein said yarn holder system comprises said yarn holder assembly; wherein said yarn holder assembly comprises said container, said lid, said fastener, and said adjustable cord in functional combination; wherein said container is defined by an outer circumference, an inner circumference, an inner volume; wherein said lid structured and arranged to enclose said inner volume with yarn therein; wherein said lid is positionable at a top end of said container; wherein said top end is open except when closed by said lid; wherein said yarn holder assembly is useful for housing said yarn and preventing unraveling and tangling of said yarn while using said yarn for knitting and other yarn-using processes;
 2. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a flexible body.
 3. The yarn holder system of claim 2 wherein said container comprises accordion-style walls such that said container is able to be collapsed during non-use periods for convenient storage.
 4. The yarn holder system of claim 3 wherein said container comprises light-weight material for portability.
 5. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said container is able to house a single skein of yarn.
 6. The yarn holder system of claim 5 wherein said container is able to house more than one skein of yarn.
 7. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a flat bottom surface such that said yarn holder assembly can be placed on a surface.
 8. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said lid comprises a yarn port.
 9. The yarn holder system of claim 8 wherein said yarn port comprises an opening larger than said yarn such that said yarn is able to move through said yarn port.
 10. The yarn holder system of claim 8 wherein said yarn port is located in a center of said lid.
 11. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said lid comprises said fastener.
 12. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said adjustable cord is flexible.
 13. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said adjustable cord comprises an adjustable member.
 14. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said lid is removably couplable to said container.
 15. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a flexible tubular cylindrically shaped body.
 16. The yarn holder system of claim 1 wherein said container comprises plastic for flexibility and durability.
 17. A yarn holder system comprising: a yarn holder assembly having; a container; a lid; a fastener; and an adjustable cord; wherein said yarn holder system comprises said yarn holder assembly; wherein said yarn holder assembly comprises said container, said lid, said fastener, and said adjustable cord in functional combination; wherein said container is defined by an outer circumference, an inner circumference, an inner volume; wherein said container comprises a flexible body; wherein said container comprises plastic for flexibility and durability; wherein said container comprises accordion-style walls such that said container is able to be collapsed during non-use periods for convenient storage; wherein said container comprises light-weight material for portability; wherein said container comprises a flat bottom surface such that said yarn holder assembly can be placed on a surface; wherein said container is able to house a single skein of yarn; wherein said container comprises a flexible tubular cylindrically shaped body; wherein said lid is removably couplable to said container; wherein said lid structured and arranged to enclose said inner volume with yarn therein; wherein said lid is positionable at a top end of said container; wherein said lid comprises a yarn port; wherein said lid comprises said fastener; wherein said yarn port comprises an opening larger than said yarn such that said yarn is able to move through said yarn port; wherein said yarn port is located in a center of said lid; wherein said top end is open except when closed by said lid; wherein said adjustable cord is flexible; wherein said adjustable cord comprises an adjustable member; and wherein said yarn holder assembly is useful for housing said yarn and preventing unraveling and tangling of said yarn while using said yarn for knitting and other yarn-using processes.
 18. The yarn holder system of claim 17 further comprising a kit including: at least one said yarn holder assembly; at least one skein of yarn; and a set of user instructions.
 19. A method of using a yarn holder system comprising the steps of: placing a skein of yarn in a container of a yarn holder assembly; feeding yarn through a yarn feeder of said yarn holder assembly; and using said yarn holder assembly while knitting or other yarn-using processes.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: removing said skein of yarn from said container; and storing said yarn holder assembly in a collapsed condition. 